Living with a Brain Tumor: Dr. Peter Black's Guide to Taking Control of Your Treatment (Paperback)

~ Peter Black (Author) "A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells growing in the brain..." (more)
Key Phrases: brain tumor group, pineal region tumors, metastatic brain tumors, Know the Results, Terms You May Hear, Brain Tumor Society (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Each year, 100,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a brain tumor. With his new book, Dr. Peter Black fills a gap in the lay readership, providing an accessible medical resource for adult patients and their families. Dr. Black, who has operated on more than 3,000 patients with brain tumors, is uniquely qualified to discuss both clinical treatment of and research into brain tumors.
This invaluable resource tells patients everything they need to know to understand and address their diagnosis, in a four-part structure:

• “What is a Brain Tumor?" provides straightforward information about how brain tumors are diagnosed, the different types of tumors and how they develop, and where to go for treatment.

• “Coping with Shock” addresses the emotional impact of the diagnosis on the patient and their family, offering specific advice on support groups and how to managing work and finances during your treatment.

• “Treatment options" outlines the complex array of available treatments in a sequential, logical, and thorough manner, enabling readers to make informed decisions.

• “Recovery" describes how to deal with the aftermath, addressing issues ranging from physical scars to speech and occupational therapy.

Dr. Black believes that more than half of brain tumor cases can be resolved with relatively minor side effects or none at all. Equipped with this informative book, patients and their family and friends can learn how to fight brain tumors effectively, putting them on the path to wellness.

About the Author

Dr. Peter Black is Franc D. Ingraham Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital, Boston. He is also the chief of neurosurgical oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 1 edition (October 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805079688
• ISBN-13: 978-0805079685
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #200,990 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading about brain tumor issues, January 6, 2007

By	Nancy Conn-Levin "Health Educator" (Oakhurst, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This informative guide, written by Peter Black, M.D., Ph.D. (along with medical writer Sharon Cloud Hogan) is a welcome addition to the resources that are available for the brain tumor community. Dr. Black, an eminent neurosurgeon, brain tumor researcher, and professor at Harvard Medical School, offers his expertise about a variety of topics that affect brain tumor patients and their loved ones in an easy to understand format. The book is divided into five parts: An Introduction to Brain Tumors, Types of Brain Tumors, Living with a Brain Tumor, Treatment Options, and Recovery. Chapter titles include "What a Brain Tumor Means for Me and My Family," "Choosing Supportive Care," "Working Toward Wellness," and "Reasons for Hope," in addition to the expected sections about specific tumor types, chemotherapy, surgery and radiation treatment. Issues that affect adults with brain tumors, as well as specific pediatric concerns, are clearly explained. In addition to his technical expertise, Dr. Black's warmth, concern and compassionate approach to his patients is evident throughout this book. His tone is optimistic and reassuring, including helpful suggestions for patients at every stage of their brain tumor journey. At the end of the book, more than 40 pages list practical resources, including contact information for adult and pediatric brain tumor treatment centers throughout the United States and Canada. This wonderful book should be required reading for anyone affected by brain tumor issues - current patients, long term survivors, family members, and medical professionals. As a health educator and a brain tumor support group facilitator (as well as a long term brain tumor survivor myself), I have already purchased several copies of this book to add to the lending library of my local brain tumor support group. I am grateful to Dr. Black for writing this excellent brain tumor guide, which will benefit so many people who are affected by all types of brain tumors. Nancy Conn-Levin, M.A. (Oakhurst, New Jersey)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OBJECTIVE AND HUMAN , April 21, 2008

By	Natalia de la Torre - See all my reviews

My father was diagnosed 4 months ago with an anaplastic astrocytoma grade III. The neurospecilist told us right away: "your father won't last more than a month". Here we are, my father has passed through radiotherapy for a whole month and chemotherapy (temodal) will last for a year. Every day he is getting better in all aspects (his movements, vision etc...). This book has something really great, you learn what you need about the process since the diagnosed, information about the different kinds of brain tumors and the doctor who wrote it has something very important for familiy and friends... HUMANESS. You will learn that there's no final diagnosed. EVERY ONE AND EVERY BRAIN TUMOR is different and has different behavior and not because the CT or the MRI tell us a devastating news, it means the panorama will be so dark. Go on; buy this book because it is a relief for all whom are passing this complicated period.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great information, March 9, 2007

By	D. Gilles (Elkhart, IN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wish I'd had this book when I first learned about my brain tumor. It's full of important information from the beginning of the diagnosis to after treatment and how to cope with it all.